Edinburgh Innovations

Backs University of Edinburgh founders with proof-of-concept funding and early venture support.

Edinburgh Innovations is the University of Edinburgh's commercialisation arm, based in Edinburgh and owned by the university. It connects research with industry through technology transfer, venture investment, translational funding administration, and commercial partnership brokering for researchers, students, and spinouts working from University of Edinburgh IP.

Its controlled funding includes the Regen Innovation Catalyst Proof of Concept Fund for climate-focused proof-of-concept work, plus Old College Capital, which invests through OCC Launch at pre-seed up to £100k and OCC Ventures from seed to Series A at £150k–£350k. It also administers UKRI Impact Acceleration Account allocations locally on behalf of EPSRC, MRC, ESRC, and STFC, so the funding mix reaches climate, energy, life sciences, hardware, materials, quantum, and photonics.

The organisation works as an internal route for University of Edinburgh staff, students, and spinouts, so applicants typically arrive through invention disclosure, partnership, or university-led proof-of-concept activity rather than a public competition. That makes it most relevant for teams that need a short translational grant, early equity backing, or both before outside investors enter the picture.